Australia Name Women's Squad For Rose Bowl Series

Cricket Australia (CA) has has named a 13-woman squad for the Rose Bowl series against New Zealand Women which takes place next month in Sydney.

Ahead of the series of four matches, the Women's National Selection Panel (WNSP) has also named a 30-strong preliminary 2013 World Cup squad.

"The WNSP have selected a very strong squad to contest the Rose Bowl Series against New Zealand," selection panel chair Julie Savage said.

"The Rose Bowl represents an excellent opportunity for the players to gain some international 50-over competition experience ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup in India to be held in February."

"The Rose Bowl Series, in conjunction with the recently conducted Emerging Players Series that the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars won 3-0 against New Zealand Emerging Players, will inform selection for the final squad of 15 to contest the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013.

"Pace bowler Sharon Millanta re-joins the squad as Julie Hunter is unavailable for the series as she completes her recovery from a foot injury.

"Our batting line-up, in particular, is in rich form, with Meg Lanning, Alex Blackwell and Jess Cameron all scoring centuries in the WNCL in the last few weeks, including Meg's record-breaking 175 against the ACT Meteors at Manuka; we look forward to seeing that great form continue against New Zealand."

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Commenting on the World Cup squad, Savage added: "The preliminary squad of 30 players gives the WNSP plenty of options to select a powerful squad of 15 to contest the ICC Women's World Cup 2013 in India."

"Australia is currently ranked second in the 50-over format and will need to perform extremely well to win the event.

"We have seen some very good recent performances from some players in this squad while playing for the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars against New Zealand Emerging Players and look forward to seeing similar feats from the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in the upcoming Rose Bowl Series. Those two series, coupled with the WNCL will give the WNSP the best indication on which players will form the final squad of 15 for the ICC Women's World Cup 2013."